Table of Contents
Introduction Ann Hood 11
Pattern: Classic Cuffed Hat Purl Soho New York, NY 17
Clothes for the Living Steve Almond 21
Knitting Took Me Halfway Round the World Anne Bartlett 26
Unraveling Cynthia Chinelly 36
Casting Off a Spell Melissa Coleman 41
Big Maroon Sweater Michael Collier 47
Pattern: Paintbrush Lace Cowl Hill Country Weavers Austin, TX 60
The Unravelers Stephanie Mannatt Danler 65
Handmade at Home Jared Flood 76
Wool Nick Fljnn 83
Why, Yes-I Can Knit My Way Out of a Wet Paper Bag… Diana Gabaldon 91
The Red Vest Debra Gwartney 99
Pattern: Cheery Seed Stitch Tea Cozy Churchmouse Yarns & Teas Bainbridge Island, WA 109
What Happened in Scotland Jane Hamilton 113
My Mother-in-Law, Her Knitting, and Me Cathi Hanauer 120
The Italian Hat Lily King 131
The Museum of the Lady with Only One Neck Perri Klass 142
How We Spend Our Days Christina Baker Kline 156
Pattern: Chimes Cowl Loop Philadelphia, PA 161
On Knitting Ann Leary 163
The Dinosaur Sweater Caroline Leavitt 169
The Thirty-First Stocking Laura Lippman 178
Positive Capability Maile Meloy 186
Knit Your Bit Stewart O'Nan 192
Pattern: Stonehaven Stole and Scarf The Yarnery Saint Paul, MN 196
An Open Letter to All My Unfinished Projects Clara Parkes 198
Why I Don't Knit Jodi Picoult 203
Creation Myth Robin Romm 210
Sarah with an H Bill Roorbach 218
Pattern: Rivulet Cowl Knit Purl Portland, OR 229
Just This Dani Shapiro 231
Ema's Lessons Samantha van Leer 235
The Santa Stocking Lee Woodruff 240
The Art of Losing Ann Hood 247
Contributors' Notes 253
About Our Knitting Stores 261